Great Pyredane

The Great Pyredane is a popular hybrid, a cross between two giant dogs, the Great Dane a fun-loving family dog that was originally bred to hunt European boar, and the Great Pyrenees, an independent and extremely protective guardian of sheep. These dogs tend to be calmer than the rambunctious Great Dane but more easygoing and eager to learn than the strong-willed Great Pyrenees. Although their grooming and exercise needs are fairly minimal they do tend to shed heavily and drool on occasion, so they may not be the best companion for those who are concerned about the mess. They are also too vocal, energetic, and large to make apartment life feasible, and are more likely to thrive living in a larger home with either a secured yard or a nearby dog park.

Purpose

Guard dog, companion animal

Date of Origin

Unknown

Ancestry

Great Dane and Great Pyrenees

Great Pyredane Health

Average Size

Height: 29-33 inchesWeight: 95-120 lbs

Height: 27-31 inchesWeight: 80-105 lbs

Major Concerns

Hip Dysplasia

Bloat

Heart Diseases and Disorders

Minor Concerns

Osteosarcoma

Osteochondritis Dissecans

Wobbler's Syndrome

Occasional Diagnoses

Hypothyroidism

Deafness

Osteochondrodysplasia

Occasional Tests

Physical Examination

X-ray imaging

Electrocardiogram

Neurological Testing

Great Pyredane Breed History

The Great Pyredane is a designer dog, a cross between two giant dog breeds, the Great Dane, a 400-year-old breed developed to hunt European boar, and the Great Pyrenees, a great white canine that has been guarding flocks of sheep in the Pyrenees Mountains for about three thousand years. The Great Dane, as we know the breed, has been selectively bred for at least four hundred years and most experts believe that they are the result of crossbreeding between English Mastiffs and Irish Wolfhounds, developed specifically for the purpose of hunting one of the most savage and dangerous types of prey in Europe at the time, the wild European boar. The Great Dane was extremely popular throughout Germany as early as the 1500s and by 1876 it was declared the National Dog of Germany where it is known as the Deutsche Dogge. This breed became popular in the United States in the late 1800’s, where they are more often employed as watchdogs and family companions. The Great Pyrenees, known as the Pyrenean Mountain Dog in the UK and Europe, is an even more ancient breed than the Great Dane. They have been sharing the cold and lonely landscape of the Pyrenees Mountains with their shepherds and their flocks of sheep for somewhere around three thousand years, but where they came from before that is a matter of speculation, although the prevailing theory is that they are the descendants of large white flock guardians that existed in Asia Minor ten to eleven thousand years ago. These dogs can be found in art, literature, and historical documentation throughout the history of France, being employed not only as protectors of sheep but also as guardians of property and jailer’s dogs. In the 1600s, Dauphin Louis XIV dubbed this breed the Royal Dog of France, and they are believed to have been instrumental in the development of both the modern Newfoundland and Landseer breeds.

Great Pyredane Breed Appearance

This is a giant breed dog, typically over two feet tall at the shoulder and often weighing greater than a hundred pounds. They typically have a large rectangular head but it is not generally heavy in proportion to the animal’s body. Their medium-sized, almond-shaped eyes are usually brown but occasionally come in lighter colors such as blue and the ears are set high up on the skull and fold forward, hanging down close to the cheek. The tail is typically long and straight like the tail of the Great Dane, but they can also exhibit a “shepherd’s crook” in their tails, a trait passed down from the Great Pyrenees breed. Although they can inherit any of the coat characteristics of the parent breeds, most Great Pyrenees appear to have the soft, short, glossy fur of the Great Dane, but many also sport a short, dense undercoat passed down from the Great Pyrenees as well.

Eye Color Possibilities

Blue

Brown

Nose Color Possibilities

Black

Coat Color Possibilities

Black

White

Blue

Brindle

Fawn

Coat Length

ShortMediumLong

Coat Density

SparseNormalDense

Coat Texture

StraightWiryWavyCurlyCorded

Great Pyredane Breed Maintenance

This crossbreed typically has fairly simple grooming requirements as both parent breeds have hair that tends to shed dirt and water, virtually eliminating the need for regular bathing unless the dog gets into something objectionable, even for those dogs that do inherit the full, thick coat of the Great Pyrenees. The Great Pyredane tends to shed year round and regular brushing is required to remove dead hairs and keep the coat supple and healthy, usually at least two to three times a week. The large hanging ears of this canine may be slightly prone to developing infections, so they should be cleaned and evaluated on a regular basis.

Brushes for Great Pyredane

Pin Brush

Comb

Nail Clipper

Brushing Frequency

DailyWeeklyMonthly

Great Pyredane Temperament

The Great Pyredane hybrid is a popular hybrid, recognized by most hybrid and designer dog registries. This giant dog tends to be more reserved and independent than the Great Dane, but more sensitive and eager to please than the Great Pyrenees. These dogs tend to be quite tolerant of children and other animals that are part of its household and are usually calm enough not to send toddlers flying through the air with their antics, but all interactions between children and dogs should be carefully supervised for the safety of the child and the dog, and children should never be allowed climb on the Great Pyredane as this can aggravate certain disorders such as hip dysplasia and Wobbler’s syndrome. Although they are generally mild-mannered and easygoing with their own family, some Great Pyrenees may inherit the guarding tendencies of the Great Pyrenees and become somewhat overprotective of children or other animals in its flock.

Great Pyredane Activity Requirements

These large dogs typically have fairly low exercise requirements in order to stay fit and healthy and they are usually quite satisfied with several short exercise sessions that equal out to about 40 to 60 minutes of vigorous exercise per day. The mature Great Pyredane is generally a fairly calm animal around the house although some may be prone to spurts of highly energetic behavior. The adolescent may be more boisterous than the adult, however, and care should be taken to ensure that the dog doesn’t overstress their joints during their critical growth phases. These dogs are not generally suited to apartment life due to their vocal nature, their energetic outbursts, and their size.

Similarly Sized Breeds to Great Pyredane

Great Pyredane Food Consumption

Cups Per Day

4 cups

Daily Cost

$2.8 - $3

Monthly Cost

$80 - $90

Great Pyredane Owner Experiences

Abby

22 Months

3 People

House & Yard

Health

Grooming

Friendliness

Energy

Trainability

Pastimes

I love Abby, never owned a dog this large before, she's a little more hyper than I like but I'm hoping she will calm down as she gets older,she just loves everybody and it don't take much to get her going, she loves to rough house, but I try not to allow anyone to do that with her, I'm glad I found her on line, she is a beautiful dog